Insertion tools and method for soft anchor

ABSTRACT

A soft anchor insertion kit includes a flexible anchor member. A flexible strand extends from the flexible member. A cannulated tool is configured to form a bone tunnel through a first cortex in a bone. A guide tool is configured to guide the cannulated tool. A delivery tool is configured to deploy the flexible member beyond a second cortex of the bone. The cannulated tool guides the delivery tool.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to tools and a method for inserting a soft anchor through two cortices in bone.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

When a tendon, or other soft tissue, is torn and separated from the bone, surgery may be needed for repair and reattachment of the tendon. Tendon reattachment surgeries can be performed on the bicep, rotator cuff, hand, foot, or in any other location on the body where a tendon is attached to bone. During some surgeries for reattachment of a tendon to bone, a bore is drilled through a cortex and bone, but not through a second cortex. The tendon is inserted in the bore and an interference screw is fixed within the bore to secure the tendon.

In other surgeries for reattachment of a tendon, or other soft tissue, to bone, an anchor may be inserted through both cortices in the bone tunnel, and generally must be malleted through the hole. Damage may occur to the second cortex if the anchor becomes misaligned in the hole. Damage may also occur to the nerves or arteries located past the second cortex if the anchor is malleted too far past the second cortex. In particular, in current practices, the anchor generally must be malleted 15 millimeters (mm) beyond the second cortex, increasing the chances that the anchor will contact nerves positioned near the second cortex. One method of current biceps tendon reattachment practices is described in “ToggleLoc Fixation Device with ZipLoop Technology: Biceps Tendon Reattachment Surgical Protocol,” by Mark J. Albritton, M.D. and Daniel Worrel, M.D. of Biomet Sports Medicine, a Biomet Company (2009, 2011), incorporated herein in its entirety.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A soft anchor insertion kit includes a flexible anchor member. A flexible strand extends from the flexible member. A cannulated tool is configured to form a bone tunnel through a first cortex in a bone. A guide tool is configured to guide the cannulated tool. A delivery tool is configured to deploy the flexible member beyond a second cortex of the bone. The cannulated tool guides the delivery tool.

A method for inserting a soft anchor through two cortices of a bone includes forming a guide tunnel through a first cortex and a second cortex of the bone; forming a bone tunnel through the first cortex and the second cortex of the bone by following the guide tunnel; inserting a flexible anchor member into the bone tunnel using a delivery tool; deploying the flexible member off the delivery tool and beyond the second cortex; tensioning a flexible strand coupled to the flexible anchor member to secure the flexible anchor member beyond the second cortex; and securing the flexible strand to retain the flexible anchor member. A method for inserting a soft anchor through two cortices of a bone includes passing a guide wire through a first cortex and a second cortex of the bone; passing a cannulated cutting device over the guide wire to form a tunnel in the bone; removing the guide wire from a cannulated bore of the cutting device and retaining the cutting device within the tunnel; passing an anchor engaged with a suture through the cannulated bore of the cutting device; and tensioning the suture to change the shape of the anchor to secure the anchor relative to the second cortex.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a soft anchor according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first insertion tool according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a second insertion tool according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a third insertion tool according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an environmental view of a humerus, ulna, and radius for accepting a soft anchor according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an environmental view of a guidewire in the radius according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an environmental view of a reamer reaming the radius according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is environmental view of the reamer in the radius according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 loaded on the first insertion tool of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 loaded on the second insertion tool of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 loaded on the third insertion tool of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 8A is an environmental view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 inserted within the radius using the tool of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 8B is an environmental view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 inserted within the radius using the tool of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 8C is an environmental view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 inserted within the radius using the tool of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 9A is an environmental view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 deployed in the radius using the tool of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 9B is an environmental view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 deployed in the radius using the tool of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 9C is an environmental view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 deployed in the radius using the tool of FIG. 2C; and

FIG. 10 is an environmental view of the soft anchor of FIG. 1 securing a biceps tendon to the radius.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. In this disclosure, the terms “anterior,” “posterior,” “lateral,” and “medial” generally refer to the front, back, outside, and midline of a surgical patient, respectively, although these terms are also used in reference to instruments and/or devices. It should also be noted that the term “user” may refer to a surgeon or any one of a number of individuals who assist the surgeon during a procedure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1-10, various tools and methods are disclosed for inserting a soft anchor through two cortices of a bone. With particular reference to FIG. 1, a suture assembly 10 includes a flexible member, or soft or deformable anchor 14, and a flexible strand 18. The flexible strand 18 may be coupled to the flexible member 14 for changing the shape of the flexible member 14. The flexible member 14 may also be threaded on the flexible strand 18 and slideably engaged to the flexible strand 18. The flexible strand 18 can be an elongated solid member 18 and may be, for example, a thread, ligament, wire, or suture. The flexible strand 18 can be made of braided filaments or fibers of biocompatible material, including natural and synthetic fibers, such as cotton, silk, polymer, polyester, polyethylene, and other materials.

The flexible member 14 includes a first end 22, a second end 26, and a body 30 extending between the first end 22 and the second end 26. The flexible member 14 further includes a longitudinally extending passage 34 extending along a longitudinal axis A of the body 30 from the first end 22 to the second end 26. The flexible member 14 can be a hollow core suture and may be made of resorbable or non-resorbable materials, including sponges and sponge-like materials in solid form, perforated materials, woven/braided from biocompatible materials or fibers, such as, for example, polymer, polyester, polyethylene, cotton, silk, or other natural or synthetic materials, including sponges and sponge-like materials. The flexible member 14 can have any properties that allow the flexible member 14 to change shape. The flexible member 14 can be, for example, compliant, flexible, foldable, squishable, squeezable, deformable, limp, flaccid, elastic, low-modulus, soft, spongy, perforated, or any other flexible material which can change shape. In some aspects, the flexible member 14 can be coated with biological or biocompatible coatings, and it can also be soaked in platelets and other biologics, which can be easily absorbed by the flexible member 14 in particular when, for example, the flexible member 14 is made from spongy, absorbent material. For example, the flexible member 14 may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Application Publication 2007/0185532 which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

The flexible member 14 may be implanted causing the flexible member 14 to change from a first shape to an implanted second shape. In some embodiments, the first shape of the flexible member 14 can be a thin elongated shape with length to width (aspect ratio) greater than one (shown in FIG. 1). In other embodiments, the first shape of the flexible member 14 can also be a folded shape. The implanted shape of the flexible member 14 can be a bulkier shape with length to width ratio close to one (shown in FIGS. 9A-10), for snugly securing the flexible member 14 relative to or on an outer surface of bone. The implanted shape of the flexible member 14 can have bigger overall width or enclosed cross-sectional area or volume than those of the first shape such that the flexible member 14 cannot be pulled out of the same opening through which it was originally inserted. In one aspect, the flexible member 14 can retain its bulkier shape after implantation, even after tension on the strand 18 is removed.

With reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, various tools may be used to insert the flexible member 14 and flexible strand 18 into a bone (for example only, a radius as illustrated in FIG. 3). Referring specifically to FIG. 2A, a pusher tool, or pusher rod or delivery tool, 40 for deploying the flexible member 14 is illustrated. The pusher tool 40 includes a first proximal end 44, a second distal end 48, an inner body portion 52, and an outer sleeve 56. The second distal end 48 is rounded so that it does not pierce a side wall of a bone tunnel or damage a first and second cortex, when the pusher tool 40 is inserted into the bone, as described in detail below. The body portion 52 is substantially cylindrical and formed around a longitudinal axis B. The body portion 52, which is generally solid, may also taper towards at least one of the first end 44 and the second end 48. Also, the body portion 52 may include depth indicia 60, such as a ruler or notches, to give visual indication of the depth of the pusher tool 40 into a patient.

The pusher tool 40 further includes at least one barb 64 near the second distal end 48 of the body portion 52. The barb 64 extends relative to a recessed portion 66 formed into the body portion 52. The barb 64 may be at an angle between 5° and 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis B and may extend away from the body portion 52. The barb 64 may have a generally cylindrical or elliptical cross-section and may be tapered from a base 68 that is coupled to the body portion 52 to a tip 72 opposite the base 68.

The sleeve 56 is substantially tubular and formed around the longitudinal axis B to be concentric with the body portion 52. The sleeve 56 includes an inner diameter 76 and an outer diameter 80. The inner diameter 76 is sized to be slightly larger than an outer diameter 84 of the body portion 52, such that the sleeve 56 is slideably fit over the body portion 52 and can move axially along the longitudinal axis B. The outer diameter 80 is sized to slideably fit within an interior diameter of a cannulated tool (described below). A length L1 of the sleeve 56 is less than a length L2 of the body portion 52, such that when the sleeve 56 abuts a distal portion 86 of a handle—88 of the pusher tool 40, the barb 64 on the body portion 52 is not covered by the sleeve 56. For example only, the length L1 of the sleeve 56 may be ¾ of the length L2 of the body portion 52.

An inner edge 92 and an outer edge 96 of the sleeve 56 may be rounded so that the sleeve 56 does not pierce the side wall of the bone tunnel or damage the first and second cortex, as described in detail below. The rounded inner edge 92 and rounded outer edge 96 may also prevent the edges 92, 96 from cutting the flexible member 14 or flexible strand 18 as the sleeve 56 deploys the flexible member 14 from the body portion 52, further discussed herein.

The handle 88 includes the distal portion, or actuating tube, 86 and a proximal portion, or actuator, 97. The distal portion 86 is engaged and secured with the body portion 52 on the first proximal end 44 of the pusher tool 40 such that sleeve 56 moves independent and relative to the handle 88 and body 52. The proximal portion 97 is overmolded onto the distal portion 86 and may be actuated to move axially relative to the distal portion 86. The distal portion 86 includes an elongated bore to slideably receive a portion of the proximal portion 97 and the sleeve 56. The proximal portion 97 is engaged to the sleeve 56 for moving the sleeve 56 axially relative to the body 52 and the distal portion 86.

The proximal portion 97 further includes a plurality of tabs 98 that engage a plurality of slots 99 in the distal portion 86 for retaining the proximal portion 97 and sleeve 56 in a first position relative to the distal portion 86 and body 52. The proximal portion 97 is actuated by applying pressure on, or squeezing together, the tabs 98 to disengage the tabs 98 from the slots 99 in the distal portion 86. The proximal portion 97 is then moved distally and axially along the distal portion 86 to a second position causing the sleeve 56 to also move distally to the second, distal end 48 deploying the anchor 14.

Now referring specifically to FIG. 2B, another embodiment of a pusher tool 100 for deploying the flexible member 14 is illustrated. The pusher tool 100 includes a first proximal end 104, a second distal end 108, a body portion 112, and a sleeve 116. The second distal end 108 is rounded and blunt so that it does not pierce the side wall of the bone tunnel or damage the first and second cortex, when the pusher tool 100 is inserted into the bone, as described in detail below. The body portion 112 is substantially cylindrical and formed around a longitudinal axis C. The body portion 112, which is generally solid, may also taper towards at least one of the proximal end 104 and the distal end 108. Also, the body portion 112 may include depth indicia 120, such as a ruler or notches, to give visual indication of the depth of the pusher tool 100 into a patient.

The sleeve 116 is substantially tubular and formed concentrically around the longitudinal axis C. The sleeve 116 includes an inner diameter 124 and an outer diameter 128 concentric to the longitudinal axis C. The inner diameter 124 is sized to be slightly larger than an outer diameter 132 of the body portion 112, such that the sleeve 116 is slideably fit over the body portion 112 to move slideably along axis C. The outer diameter 128 is sized to slideably fit within an interior diameter of a cannulated tool (described below). A length L3 of the sleeve 116 is less than a length L4 of the body portion 112, such that when the sleeve 116 abuts a handle 136 of the pusher tool 100, a portion of the second end 108 is not covered by the sleeve 116. For example only, the length L3 of the sleeve 116 may be ¾ of the length L4 of the body portion 112.

An inner edge 140 and an outer edge 144 of the sleeve 116 may be rounded so that the sleeve 116 does not pierce a side wall of a bone tunnel or damage a first and second cortex, as described in detail below. The rounded inner edge 140 and rounded outer edge 144 may also prevent the edges 140, 144 from cutting the flexible member 14 or flexible strand 18 as the sleeve 116 deploys the flexible member 14 from the body portion 112.

The handle 136 is engaged and secured with the body portion 112 on the first proximal end 104 of the pusher tool 100 such that the sleeve 116 moves independent and relative to the handle 136 and body portion 112. The handle 136 may be similar to, or the same as the handle 88 in the pusher tool 40 and may include the same components as described previously in relation to the handle 88 and operate in the same manner.

Now referring specifically to FIG. 2C, another embodiment of a pusher tool 150 for deploying the flexible member 14 is illustrated. The pusher tool 150 includes a first proximal end 154, a second distal end 158, an outer body, or sleeve, 162, and an inner pusher rod 166. The outer body, or sleeve, 162 is substantially tubular and extends along and is formed around a longitudinal axis D.

The outer sleeve 162 may include a slit, or open, portion 170 formed in a wall 174 of the sleeve 162 extending parallel with the longitudinal axis D for a portion of a length L5 of the sleeve 162. The slit 170 may extend through the second distal end 158 of the pusher tool 150. Also, the sleeve 162 may include depth indicia 178, such as a ruler or notches, to give visual indication of the depth of the pusher tool 100 into a patient.

The distal end 158 of the sleeve 162 may be rounded so the pusher tool 150 does not pierce a side wall of a bone tunnel or damage a first and second cortex, as described in detail below. An inner edge 182 and an outer edge 186 of the open portion 170 of the sleeve 162 may also be rounded to protect the side wall of the bone tunnel and the first and second cortices, as described below.

The inner pusher rod 166 is substantially cylindrical and formed concentric around the longitudinal axis D. The inner pusher rod 166 includes an outer diameter 190 that is sized to be slightly smaller than an inner diameter 194 of the sleeve 162, such that the inner pusher rod 166 is slideably fit within the sleeve 162 and moves relative to the sleeve 162.

An outer diameter 198 of the sleeve 162 is sized to slideably fit within an interior diameter of a cannulated tool (described below). The outer sleeve 162 is fixed and secured relative to a distal portion 200 of a handle 202 of the pusher tool 150. However, the inner pusher rod 166 moves relative to the handle 202.

A length L6 of the inner pusher rod 166 is less than the length L5 of the sleeve 162, such that when in a preloaded condition before deploying the flexible member 14, the inner rod 166 does not extend to a portion of the distal end 158. For example only, the length L6 of the inner rod 166 may extend ¾ of the length L5 of the sleeve 162 when in the preloaded state. An edge 206 of the inner pusher rod 166 may also be rounded to prevent the edge 206 from cutting the flexible member 14 or flexible strand 18 as the inner rod 166 deploys the flexible member 14 distally out from the sleeve 162. In some embodiments, the inner pusher rod 166 may be generally tubular and may also contain a slit or open portion (not shown). In these embodiments, the inner pusher rod 166 will include an inner edge and an outer edge that are both rounded to prevent the edges from cutting the flexible member 14 or flexible strand 18 as the inner rod 166 deploys the flexible member.

The handle 202 includes the distal portion, or actuating tube, 200 and a proximal portion, or actuator, 214. The distal portion 200 is engaged and secured to the sleeve 162 on the first proximal end 154 of the pusher tool 150 such that sleeve 162 is fixed relative to the handle 202 and the inner rod 166 moves independently and relative to sleeve 162 and the distal portion 200 of the handle 202. The proximal portion 214 further includes a plurality of prongs 218 that are received by the distal portion 200 for facilitating movement of the proximal portion 214 into the distal portion 200, and the proximal portion 214 may be actuated to move axially relative to the distal portion 200. The distal portion 200 includes an elongated bore to slideably receive the inner rod 166 and a portion of the proximal portion 214. The proximal portion 214 is engaged with and overmolded onto the inner rod 166 for moving the inner rod 166 axially relative to the sleeve 162 and the distal portion 200.

The distal portion 200 further includes a button 222 that prevents the prongs 218 from sliding into the distal portion 200 for retaining the proximal portion 214 and inner rod 166 in a first position relative to the distal portion 200 and sleeve 162. The proximal portion 214 is actuated by applying pressure on, or pressing, the button 222 in the distal portion 200 to disengage the button 222 from the prongs 218 in the proximal portion 214. The proximal portion 214 is then moved axially into the distal portion 200 to a second position causing the inner rod 166 to move distally to the second, distal end 158 deploying the anchor 14.

The handle portion 202 is coupled to the sleeve 162 on the first proximal end 154 of the pusher tool 150. In some embodiments, the handle portion 202 may be substantially cylindrical and formed along the longitudinal axis C. In other embodiments, the handle portion 202 may be a different configuration such as an L-shape including a trigger, a D-shape, or any other known configuration.

Now referring generally to FIGS. 3-10, a method for inserting a flexible member, or soft or deformable anchor, through two cortices of a bone, for example a radius, using each of the pusher tools 40, 100, 150 is illustrated. Referring to FIG. 3, a radius 300, ulna 301, and humerus 302 for performing a biceps tendon reattachment procedure is illustrated. A surgeon, or other user, determines a radial tuberosity 304 of the radius 300 for the biceps tendon reattachment. While a radius 300 is illustrated and discussed in the disclosure of the method for inserting the flexible member, it is noted that the described method may be performed on any bone, and in particular any bone that is used for reattaching a tendon.

Now referring to FIG. 4, the surgeon drills a guide device, k-wire, or other guide wire, 312 through a first cortex 316 and a second cortex 320 of the bone 308. The guide device 312 may be an elongated cylindrical member 312 having a drill head 324 and a body 328. In some embodiments, the body 328 of the guide device 312 may be a rigid member to provide a guide for forming a bone tunnel (described below). In other embodiments, the body 328 of the guide device 312 may be a flexible member that follows a curved path. The drill head 324 includes a fluted portion 332 for cutting bone. The body 328 may include depth control indicia 330, such as a ruler or notches, to give visual indication of the depth of the guide device 312 in the patient. The guide device 312 may be composed of aluminum, a titanium alloy, stainless steel, or any other suitable material.

The guide device 312 is driven through the first cortex 316 and the bone 308, until guide device 312 just passes through the second cortex 320, but the guide device 312 does not substantially go beyond the second cortex 320. For example only, the guide device 312 does not go beyond a distance X beyond the second cortex 320, where the distance X may be approximately 2 mm beyond the second cortex 320.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a tool 336 forms a socket, or bone tunnel, 340 in the bone 308. The tool 336 may be an elongated cylindrical member, a cannulated drill bit, or reamer 336 having a head 344 and a body 348. The head 344 and body 348 include a cannulated bore 352 extending the length of the tool 336. The bore 352 has a diameter sized to slideably fit around the guide device 312 and to receive the pusher tool 40, 100, 150. The head 344 includes a fluted portion 356 to cut and remove bone material from the bone 308. The body 348 may include depth control indicia 360, such as a ruler or notches, to give visual indication of the depth of the tool 336 in the patient. Any suitable driving tool may be used to drive the cannulated drill bit to form the socket 340 such as a pneumonic or electric drill or reamer.

The tool 336 is passed over the guide device 312 to form the larger diameter socket, or bone tunnel, 340 in the bone 308. The tool 336 is driven through the first cortex 316 and the bone 308, until the tool 336 just passes through an inner side 364 of the second cortex 320, but the tool 336 does not substantially go beyond the second cortex 320. For example only, the tool 336 does not go beyond the distance X beyond the second cortex 320, where the distance X may be approximately 2 mm beyond the second cortex 320.

This is substantially less than the current technique of passing the tool 336 approximately 15 mm beyond the second cortex 320 which can potentially affect the nerves beyond the second cortex 320. Further, the tool 336 is passed through the first cortex 316, the bone 308, and the second cortex 320 without impaction, and without malleting. The tool 336 is guided through the first cortex 316 and bone 308 by the guide device 312.

Now referring to FIG. 6, the guide device 312 is removed from the bore 352 in the tool 336. The tool 336 remains in the socket 340 in the bone 308 to now act as a guide. The fluted portion 356 of the tool 336 is engaged with the socket 340 and retains the tool 336 in a fixed position within the socket 340.

Referring generally to FIGS. 7A-7C, the flexible member 14 is shown positioned on the pusher tools 40, 100, and 150, respectively, and prepared for insertion or delivery into the socket 340. Referring specifically to FIG. 7A, the flexible member 14 is positioned on the pusher tool 40. The flexible member 14 may be preloaded on the pusher tool 40 before surgical use. The flexible member 14 is located on the pusher tool 40 such that the barb 64 of the pusher tool 40 engages an interior wall 358 of the passage 34 of the flexible member 14 and the distal end 48 of the pusher tool 40 extends beyond the second end 26 of the flexible member 14. The flexible member 14 is open on both ends 22, 26 such that the body portion 52 of the pusher tool 40 extends through both ends 22, 26, of the flexible member 14. When the flexible member 14 is positioned on the pusher tool 40, the flexible strands 18 may extend from both the first end 22 and the second end 26 of the flexible member 14. The strand 18 extending from the second end 26 of the flexible member 14 may wrap back over the outside of the member 14 and extend back through the sleeve 56 with the strand 18 exiting the first end 22.

Now referring to FIG. 7B, the flexible member 14 is positioned on the pusher tool 100. The flexible member 14 may be preloaded on the pusher tool 100 before surgical use. The second end 26 of the flexible member 14 is melted over, or closed over, the distal end 108 of the pusher tool 100 creating a cap 368 over the distal end 108 of the pusher tool 100 that may be rigid. The second end 26 is closed such that the flexible member 14 is only open on one end 22. The cap 368 secures the flexible member 14 on the pusher tool 100 until the flexible member 14 is deployed. The flexible strand 18 is fixed on the interior of the cap 368 during closing or melting of the second end 26. When the flexible member 14 is positioned on the pusher tool 100, the strands 18 extend through the passage 34 and enter the sleeve 116.

Now referring to FIG. 7C, the flexible member 14 is positioned in the pusher tool 150. The flexible member 14 may be preloaded on the pusher tool 100 before surgical use. Specifically, the flexible member 14 is slideably located within the inner diameter 194 of the sleeve 162. When the flexible member 14 is positioned in the pusher tool 150, the flexible strands 18 may extend from both the first end 22 and the second end 26 of the flexible member 14. The strand 18 exiting from the second end 26 of the flexible member 14 may loop back over the outside of the flexible member 14 and extend through the sleeve 162 along with the strand 18 exiting from the first end 22 of the flexible member 14.

Referring generally to FIGS. 8A-8C, the flexible member 14 is delivered or inserted into the bore 352 through the tool 336 and into the socket 340. Referring specifically to FIG. 8A, the flexible member 14, positioned on the pusher tool 40, is inserted within the bore 352 in the tool 336. The bore 352 guides the pusher tool 40 through the socket 340 and prevents contact between the pusher tool 40 and the bone 308 or cortices 316, 320. The flexible member 14 is inserted into the bore 352 until the second end 26 of the flexible member 14 and the tip of the distal end 48 of the tool 40 passes just through the second cortex 320. The flexible member 14 is not inserted more than the distance X (for example only, 2 mm) past the second cortex 320. In some embodiments, the flexible member 14 is inserted into the bore 352 until the handle 88 of the pusher tool 40 contacts the tool 336 as a form of depth control. In other embodiments, depth control indicia 60 may be read by the user to indicate the depth of the tool 40 within the bore 352. When the flexible member 14 is inserted within the bore 352, the flexible strands 18 will be located in the bore 352 such that all flexible strands 18 will emerge from the bore 352 at the proximal end 44 of the tool 40.

Referring specifically to FIG. 8B, the flexible member 14, positioned on the pusher tool 100, is inserted within the bore 352 in the tool 336. The bore 352 guides the pusher tool 100 through the socket 340 and prevents contact between the pusher tool 100 and the bone 308 or cortices 316, 320. The flexible member 14 is inserted into the bore 352 until the rigid cap 368 of the flexible member 14 passes just through the second cortex 320. The flexible member 14 is not inserted more than the distance X (for example only, 2 mm) past the second cortex 320. In some embodiments, the flexible member 14 is inserted into the bore 352 until the handle 136 of the pusher tool 100 contacts the tool 336 as a form of depth control. In other embodiments, depth control indicia 60 may be read by the user to indicate the depth of the tool 40 within the bore 352. When the flexible member 14 is inserted within the bore 352, the flexible strands 18 will be located in the bore 352 such that all flexible strands 18 will emerge from the bore 352 at the proximal end 104 of the tool 100.

Referring specifically to FIG. 8C, the flexible member 14, positioned on the pusher tool 150, is inserted within the bore 352 in the tool 336. The bore 352 guides the pusher tool 150 through the socket 340 and prevents contact between the pusher tool 150 and the bone 308 or cortices 316, 320. The outer sleeve 162 of the pusher tool 150 delivers the flexible member 14 into the bore 352. Depth control indicia 178 on the sleeve 162 can be viewed by a user to determine the distance the sleeve 162 has traveled within the bore 352.

The flexible member 14 is inserted into the bore 352 until the second end 26 of the flexible member 14 passes the second cortex 320. The flexible member 14 is not inserted more than the distance X (for example only, 2 mm) past the second cortex 320. The second, or distal, end 26 of the flexible member 14 will be substantially aligned with the distal end 158 of the pusher tool 150 to prevent the distal end 158 of the pusher tool 150 from protruding substantially beyond the second cortex 320. In some embodiments, the user may read the depth control indicia 178 on the sleeve 162 to determine that the distal end 158 of the pusher tool 150 is just beyond the second cortex 320. In other embodiments, the flexible member 14 may be inserted into the bore 352 until the handle 202 of the pusher tool 150 contacts the tool 336 as a form of depth control. When the flexible member 14 is inserted within the bore 352, the flexible strands 18 will be located in the bore 352 such that all flexible strands 18 will emerge from the bore 352 at the first proximal end 154 of the tool 150.

Referring generally to FIGS. 9A-9C, the flexible member 14 is deployed with the pusher tool 40, 100, 150 just beyond the second cortex. As the flexible member 14 is deployed, it transforms from the first shape to the implanted or retained shape. The first shape of the flexible member 14 can be the thin elongated shape with length to width (aspect ratio) greater than one (shown in FIG. 1). The implanted shape of the flexible member 14 can be a bulkier shape with length to width ratio close to one, for snugly securing the flexible member 14 relative to or on the second cortex 320. The implanted shape of the flexible member 14 can have bigger overall width or enclosed cross-sectional area or volume than those of the first shape such that the flexible member 14 cannot be pulled out of the same opening through which it was originally inserted.

Referring specifically to FIG. 9A, the proximal portion 97 is actuated by applying pressure on, or squeezing together, the tabs 98 to disengage the tabs 98 from the slots 99 in the distal portion 86. The proximal portion 97 is then moved distally and axially within the elongated bore of the distal portion 86, moving the sleeve 56 in a distal direction from the first position where the distal end 48 of the body portion 52 is not covered by the sleeve 56 (see FIG. 8A) to the second position aligned with the second distal end 48 of the pusher tool 40 (FIG. 9A). As the sleeve 56 is moved distally, the flexible member 14 is deployed off the body 52 of the pusher tool 40. The sleeve 56 pushes the flexible member 14 off the barb 64 that was retaining the flexible member 14 on the body 52.

Referring specifically to FIG. 9B, the proximal portion 97 is actuated by applying pressure on, or squeezing together, the tabs 98 to disengage the tabs 98 from the slots 99 in the distal portion. The proximal portion 97 is then moved distally and axially within the elongated bore of the distal portion 86 moving the sleeve 116 axially in a distal direction from the first position where the distal end 108 of the body portion 112 is not covered by the sleeve 116 (see FIG. 8B) to the second position aligned with the second distal end 108 of the pusher tool 100 (FIG. 9B). As the sleeve 116 is moved distally, the flexible member 14 is deployed off the body 112 of the pusher tool 100. The sleeve 116 pushes the flexible anchor 14 off the rounded second end 108 of the pusher tool 100.

Referring specifically to FIG. 9C, the proximal portion 214 of the handle 202 is actuated by applying pressure on, or pressing, the button 222 in the distal portion 200 to disengage the button 222 from the prongs 218 in the proximal portion 214. The proximal portion 214 is then moved axially into the distal portion 200 to a second position and moving the inner pusher rod 166 axially in a distal direction from the first position extending only a portion (for example only, approximately ¾) of the length of the sleeve 162 to the second position aligned with the distal end 158 of the sleeve 162. As the inner pusher rod 166 is moved, the flexible member 14 is deployed from the sleeve 162 of the pusher tool 150. The inner pusher rod 166 slideably moves the flexible member 14 along the interior of the sleeve 162 until the first end 22 of the flexible member 14 passes the distal end 158 of the pusher tool 150 and the second cortex 320.

Now referring to FIG. 10, the flexible strands 18 are tensioned to cause the flexible member 14 to anchor the flexible strands 18 outside the second cortex 320. In some embodiments, the flexible strands 18 are threaded through a biceps tendon 372. The flexible strands 18 may be tensioned to draw the tendon 372 into the socket 340 of the bone 308 and knotted to secure the tendon 372 in the socket 340 of the bone 308.

The tool 40, 100, 150 for each of the three embodiments along with the guide device 312 and tool 336 may be provided in a kit for tendon reattachment procedures. Each of the tools 40, 100, 150, guide device 312, and tool 336 are designed such that the user can control the depth that the device 40, 100, 150, 312, 336 extends into a patient, such that the tool 40, 100, 150, guide device 312, and tool 336 do not extend beyond a predetermined distance (for example only, 2 mm) beyond the second cortex to reduce the possibility of engagement with associated nerves. In some embodiments, the tool 40, 100, 150, guide device 312, and tool 336 may be of design-specific lengths such that the tool 40, 100, 150, guide device 312, and tool 336 do not extend beyond the predetermined distance beyond the second cortex. In other embodiments, the tool 40, 100, 150, guide device 312, and tool 336 may be equipped with depth control indicia (as previously discussed) readable by the user to determine when the tool 40, 100, 150, guide device 312, and tool 336 have been inserted just past the second cortex. Further, the tool 40, 100, 150, guide device 312, and tool 336 are designed such that the diameters of each allow the tool 40, 100, 150, guide device 312, and tool 336 to be stacked within, or slideably engaged within, each other as described previously.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A soft anchor insertion kit comprising: a flexible anchor member; a flexible strand extending from the flexible member; a cannulated tool configured to form a bone tunnel through a first cortex in a bone; a guide tool configured to guide the cannulated tool; and a delivery tool for deploying the flexible member beyond a second cortex of the bone, wherein the cannulated tool guides the delivery tool, wherein the delivery tool includes an inner rod and a sleeve for retaining the flexible member on the delivery tool and deploying the flexible member beyond the second cortex.
 2. The soft anchor insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the inner rod includes a barb for retaining the flexible member on the delivery tool.
 3. The soft anchor insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is tubular and includes a slit for accepting the flexible member.
 4. The soft anchor insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the cannulated tool is a cannulated drill.
 5. The soft anchor insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the guide tool is a guide wire.
 6. The soft anchor insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the flexible anchor and flexible strand are preloaded on the delivery tool before surgical use.
 7. The soft anchor insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the cannulated tool, the guide tool, and the delivery tool have a length such that the cannulated tool, the guide tool, and the delivery tool do not extend further than a predetermined distance beyond the second cortex of the bone to reduce engagement of the cannulated tool, the guide tool, and the delivery tool with a plurality of associated nerves.
 8. The soft anchor insertion kit of claim 1, wherein the guide tool and the delivery tool are slideably fit within a bore in the cannulated tool.
 9. A method for inserting a soft anchor through two cortices of a bone, comprising: forming a guide tunnel through a first cortex and a second cortex of the bone; forming a bone tunnel through the first cortex and the second cortex of the bone by following the guide tunnel; inserting a flexible anchor member into the bone tunnel using a delivery tool; deploying the flexible member off the delivery tool and beyond the second cortex, wherein deploying the flexible anchor member off the delivery tool and beyond the second cortex includes moving a sleeve of the delivery tool from a first position to a second position to deploy the flexible anchor member off a body of the delivery tool; tensioning a flexible strand coupled to the flexible anchor member to secure the flexible anchor member beyond the second cortex; and securing the flexible strand to retain the flexible anchor member.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein coupling the flexible anchor member to the delivery tool includes engaging a barb on the delivery tool to an inner wall of the flexible anchor member.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein coupling the flexible anchor member to the delivery tool includes forming an end cap on the flexible anchor member by melting an end of the flexible anchor member over the delivery tool.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein coupling the flexible anchor member to the delivery tool includes inserting the flexible anchor member within a tubular body of the delivery tool.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein deploying the flexible anchor member off the delivery tool and beyond the second cortex includes moving an inner rod of the delivery tool from a first position to a second position to deploy the flexible anchor member out of a body of the delivery tool.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein tensioning the flexible strand to secure the flexible anchor member beyond the second cortex includes changing the flexible anchor member from a first shape to a second implanted shape.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the delivery tool has a length such that the delivery tool does not extend further than a predetermined distance beyond the second cortex to reduce engagement of the delivery tool with a plurality of associated nerves.
 16. A method for inserting a soft anchor through two cortices of a bone, comprising: passing a guide wire through a first cortex and a second cortex of the bone; passing a cannulated cutting device over the guide wire to form a tunnel in the bone; removing the guide wire from a cannulated bore of the cutting device and retaining the cutting device within the tunnel; passing an anchor engaged with a suture through the cannulated bore of the cutting device using a delivery tool; deploying the anchor off the delivery tool by moving an inner rod of the delivery tool from a first position to a second position to deploy the anchor out of a body of the delivery tool; and tensioning the suture to change the shape of the anchor to secure the anchor relative to the second cortex.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising passing into the bore to deliver the anchor outside the second cortex.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising actuating the delivery tool to deploy the anchor.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cannulated cutting device, the guide wire, and the delivery tool have a length such that the cannulated cutting device, the guide wire, and the delivery tool do not extend further than a predetermined distance beyond the second cortex to reduce engagement of the cannulated cutting device, the guide wire, and the delivery tool with a plurality of associated nerves.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching the suture to soft tissue to secure the soft tissue to the bone.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the soft tissue is a biceps tendon.
 22. The method of claim 16, further comprising securing the suture to retain the anchor beyond the second cortex of the bone. 